Two pilgrims from Akola and Buldhana killed in bus crash after stone hurled at vehicle in Uttar Pradesh Akola: A 50-year-old woman from Buldhana and another from Akola died after a bus overturned on the Ghazipur-Varanasi four-lane highway in Nandganj police station limits in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. Over 35 passengers sustained injuries in the incident, which occurred as the vehicle was returning from a pilgrimage trip to Nepal and en route to Varanasi for darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The bus, carrying approximately 48–50 pilgrims, was organized by Jai Shriram Tours and Travels. The group had earlier visited Chitrakoot and Ayodhya before heading to Varanasi. The accident was triggered when a stone was allegedly hurled at the bus’s side window, causing the driver to lose control. According to a pilgrim on board, the bus was following a pickup van that slowed down, leading to a minor collision. The van driver reportedly threatened the passengers, and near Nandganj, the stone was thrown, prompting the driver to swerve. The bus then hit the divider and overturned multiple times. The deceased have been identified as Annapurnabai (50), a resident of Akola, and Saraswatibai Pakhare from Rohinkhed village in Buldhana district. Three of the injured are in critical condition, while all victims were admitted to the Government Medical College in Ghazipur. Ghazipur district magistrate Avinash Kumar stated that a detailed probe has been ordered into the incident, with strict action promised against those responsible for hurling the stone. Union minister of State for AYUSH and health, Prataprao Jadhav, contacted the Uttar Pradesh government and district administration to ensure the injured received the best possible treatment.#uttar_pradesh #akola #buldhana #jai_shriram_tours_and_travels #nandganj
